MAINA SANDA (Niger): Monsieur le Président, honorables délégués, Mesdames, Messieurs, je voudrais tout d'abord vous remercier, Monsieur le Président, pour avoir bien voulu m'accorder la parole en premier en ce début de notre deuxième séance de cet après-midi. Prenant la parole pour la première foĺs, permettez-moi de vous féliciter très sincèrement pour votre brillante élection à la tete de notre Commission. D'avance, il ne subsiste aucun doute dans mon esprit sur le fait que votre sagesse, votre compétence et votre expérience de forum de ce genre conduiront notre Commission à des résultats excellents, à la dimension de la volonté qui anime, j'en suis sur, les honorables délégués ici présents d'effacer de la face du monde le spectre de la faim.
Je voudrais remercier M. Shah pour l'excellente présentation qu'il a faite du document qui nous a été.soumis. Nous avons étudié avec beaucoup d'attention le document C 85/3, Programme de travail et Budget, pour le biennium 1986-87 de l'Organisation. Nous saluons également la sagesse et la clairvoyance de M. le Directeur général de l'Organisation pour sa volonté d'imprimer à ce budget la nécessité d'allouer de manière de plus en plus efficace des ressources qui se font de plus en plus rares.
Tout en reconnaissant cette sagesse, nous appelons cependant son attention et nous sommes confiants qu'il saura, dans les mesures qu'il sera amené à exécuter, préserver le nerf vital de notre Organisation, l'essence même de son efficience.
Beaucoup de brillants orateurs avant moi ont pris la parole pour signaler que la croissance zéro serait une manière implicite de déclarer que nous sommes vaincus, que la fin de la lutte contre la faim n'est pas pour demain, car accepter le principe de la croissance zéro serait accepter que beaucoup d'êtres, plus qu'il n'y en a eu l'an dernier et les autres années, souffriront encore de la faim.
Tout en reconnaissant la nécessité évidente de réduire les charges administratives, nous recommandons vivement au Directeur général de préserver le nerf et l'efficience de notre Organisation.
Le défi qui nous est lancé, Mesdames et Messieurs, nous impose de dépasser la simple rhétorique et nous invite à des actions concrètes et dynamiques. J'en suis survie combat n'est pas perdu, nous pouvons le gagner et j'ai confiance que la communauté ici présente relèvera ce défi. De la manière dont nos débats se déroulent, j'ai l'impression que le consensus autour de l'adoption du budget s’impose.
Pour notre part, nous voudrions vous assurer que nous soutenons et approuvons le budget et le programme de travail présentés par l'Organisation. Nous saluons aussi la place privilégiée qui a été faite à l'Afrique car c'est là que se trouve le gros des besoins.
Monsieur le Président, en vous félicitant encore une fois, je vous prie donc de conduire avec la même clairvoyance et la même sagesse la suite de nos débats.
C. THOMSEN (Denmark): My delegation wishes to join the previous speakers in congratulating you, Mr Chairman, and your two Vice-Chairmen on your election. We are also grateful to Mr Shah for his introduction to our deliberations.
On the subject of the Programme, Work and Budget, we would like to make a more general statement now and reserve the right to come back tomorrow on some more particular aspects of the Programme.
As regards the level of the budget, I am pleased to be able to inform you that the Danish Delegation can support and accept the budget level as it is now proposed.
We should like again to express our appreciation of the efforts made by the Secretariat in preparing the full programme of work and budget for 1986-87, and of the endeavours to arrive at a proposal which should make a consensus possible. My delegation is satisfied that the net programme increase has been reduced to 1.1 percent or five million dollars, the way it has been calculated, and we would hope that the proposal as it now stands could meet with a general support.
We are, in fact, more concerned about the contents of the Programme of Work and about the role of the Organization in the longer term. In this connection we would again like to commend the Director-General for his efforts to reduce the non-technical administrative and support costs in the proposed budget. We are confident, however, that further progress could be made in this respect through increased rationalization, and would encourage continued efforts in this direction.
With regard to the overall balance of the Programme of Work - in other words, the relative importance of the various parts of the Programme - we are concerned to see that the Forestry Programme, which, for a number of reasons, we believe would deserve increased attention, has been allocated only 4 percent of the budget as compared to 13.7 percent for the Technical Cooperation Programme. In our opinion, this relationship does not properly reflect the relative importance of these two parts of the total programme, and thus an adjustment would be desirable from our point of view.
We would next like to refer to the statement in the Director-General's instruction to the Programme of Work and Budget, to the effect that the role of FAO should be that of an honest broker between donors and recipients. We should not forget that the resources of FAO form only a small part of the total amount of resources involved in the food and agricultural development in the world. The Organization has an important role to play, but it is essential, in order to get the best possible use of the limited resources, that continued attention be given to defining the proper role of the Organization as a partner in the process of agricultural development.
In view of the limitation of resources and the changing situation in countries, the necessary adjustment of the role and functions of the Organization become particularly important in the longer term. In our opinion, the Organization is at present trying to do too many things in order to satisfy all the varying demands for assistance. This would appear to lead to a certain rigidity in the structure of programmes, with little change from biennium to biennium. In the present situation we contend that there is a special need for a concentration of efforts on a limited number of well defined action priorities.
There is also a need for increasing concern about the impact of the various programme activities and about the resources deployed. The challenge is not only in the magnitude of the resources available but also the effectiveness of the implementation to be achieved. As we have stated elsewhere, we hope that the opinion is that it will be timely on the occasion of the 40 years' celebrations to pause and discuss in depth what we would wish the role and functions of the FAO to be during the next decade or two.
As it is a service Organization the FAO will naturally have to adjust itself to changes in the world which it will have to serve. This applies particularly to changes in the traditional technical cooperation activities. There is therefore a need for a technical reform albeit of a gradual nature. There is need for deliberation and discussion between all interested parties to clarify the nature of this reform. In view of the complications and difficulties involved we would here like to repeat our invitation to member countries and others interested to take part in a searching analysis and debate with the objective of using to the best standard the limited resources of the Organization in a world of change.
N. SANOGHO (Mali): Monsieur le Président, prenant la parole pour la première fois, permettez-moi de vous présenter au nom de la délégation malienne nos vives félicitations pour votre brillante élection à la présidence de cette importante commission de notre Conférence. Nous voudrions également présenter nos félicitations à MM. les Vice-Présidents et à M. le Directeur du Bureau du Programme, du Budget et de l'Evaluation pour son excellent exposé. Nous avons apprécié l'effort de rationalisation d'utilisation des ressources de notre Organisation. Nous appuyons donc le programme et le budget qui nous ont été présentés.
Toutefois, permettez-nous d'exprimer notre inquiétude pour la croissance du budget qui, à terme, pourrait mettre en cause le dynamisme de notre Organisation.
Nous accueillons avec intérêt la place accordée à l'Afrique dans le programme et souhaiterions que la sécurité alimentaire continue à être la priorité des priorités.
Mon pays, le Mali, est un pays désertique, confronté à une désertification très intensive. C'est pourquoi nous avons inscrit comme objectifs fondamentaux de notre développement économique et social l'autosuffisance alimentaire et la lutte contre la désertification. Aussi nous pensons qu'il est judicieux d'accorder une place plus importante dans les programmes de la FAO au programme forestier qui pour le moment représente moins de 5 pour cent du budget.
En souhaitant plein succès aux travaux de notre Commission, je réitère notre appui au programme technique et au budget du biennium 1986-87.
DATO'ABU BAKAR MAHMUD (Malaysia): As this is the first time that my delegation is making its declaration may I join the others before me in congratulating you, Sir, on your election and also those of the two Vice-chairmen. The election of Ambassador Bula Hoyos of Colombia as our Chairman this time is a tribute to his ability. I have had rare occasions in the past when I have been here to serve under such a very competent Chairman. I have no doubt that with his independent posture and great charm will help to iron out some of the problems we encounter - if ever - throughout the Session. I also congratulate Mr Shah on his very brilliant and very clear presentation on behalf of the Director-General on the Programme and Budget for 1986-87. On the whole Malaysia is in full support for the whole of this. But I have some comments on the general thrust of the Budget as well as on some specific programmes, particularly at the regional level. Having participated in the preparation of the Budget, both in Council and Finance Committees, my delegation congratulates the Director-General and his staff in establishing the six principal aims, namely promotion of food production, increasing food security, strategy for fishery and forestry systems, emphasis on training and enhancement of economic and technical cooperation among developing countries (ECDC and TCDO)and also promoting impact at local level. The efforts of the Director-General and his staff to reduce the Budget from the level of US$ 450.00 or 1.4 percent increase to a level of increase which is only 1.1 percent, deserve our commendation. My delegation feels there should not be any serious problems in getting the Budget and Programme of Work approved. The total recognition of decisions taken and the expressions of concern made at various international fore, including the Regional Conferences of FAO and those of the Programme and Finance Committees, in the preparation of the Plan of Work and Budget demonstrate the high judgement applied by the Director-General and his Secretariat in the preparation of the Budget.
On the special focus for Africa, my delegation has no reservation whatsoever with the priority given to Africa considering the poverty suffered by many countries in that continent. However, as you, Sir, are fully aware, poverty and malnutrition tend to be universal, and exist in many parts of the world Therefore I am sure that FAO will continue to monitor these constantly and provide specific attention. On the question of individual programmes I will take just a few which may be implemented at regional level, particularly that at the Asia region. Malaysia considers that a study to the year AD 2000 is very important and timely since it would throw light on the world food situation and also the position of primary commodities in terms of prices for the next 15 years. We are therefore interested in the study since Malaysia is a major producer of primary commodities, such as palm oil, rubber ,and cocoa. In the event that these commodities are not to be included in the study, my delegation would humbly request for them to be so included.
With regard to the emphasis on training, we fully endorse the programmes as outlined by the FAO in the proposed Budget. Its importance cannot be over emphasized since it has been proved to be one of the most effective means of promoting knowledge and skills as well as the transfer of technology to target groups. Training of national groups would contribute a great deal to the implementation of the various programmes of the FAO. We also lend support to the study on cropping intensity since it is part of the method of developing farming systems in my country. This is because most of the farms are of small size as are also the holdings. The study could provide help in increasing farmers' incomes in the long run. I hope that Malaysia will be included in the six countries proposed for the study.
On livestock, we would wish to endorse the programme on livestock feed. Malaysia is a heavy importer of these foodstuffs because domestic production is costly.
I would also comment on the forestry programme, including the planting of medicinal plants. It would also perhaps be helpful for the Secretariat to consider increasing the subsidy on forestry programmes to many developing countries, including my own. Based on the budgetary allocation for fishery, forestry and other support programmes in C 85/3, as well as in other supporting documents, my country sees vast possibilities of benefitting from those programmes, as it has done in the past, either directly or indirectly, by increasing food production, food security and distribution and by raising the income of the farmers and fishermen through technological improvement and institutional reforms. With these comments we lend support to the Programme of Work and Budget for 1986-87 as embodied in C 85/3 and other supporting documents.
EL PRESIDENTE: Antes de conceder la palabra al próximo orador les ruego que me permitan volver a un punto relacionado con la organización de nuestros trabajos que habíamos dejado pendiente esta mañana.
Los representantes de los grupos regionales nos han comunicado los países que deberían formar parte del Comité de Redacción y que someto a su consideración. Serían los siguientes: Países Bajos, Francia, Canadá, Australia, Kenya, Argelia, México, Brasil, Líbano, Irán, Filipinas, Bangladesh, y Estados Unidos de América.
Se ha recomendado igualmente que el Comité de Redacción sea presidido por el distinguido colega y amigo Hartford T. Jennings, de los Estados Unidos de América.
Pregunto a ustedes si la Comisión está de acuerdo en apoyar la anterior recomendación.
Entiendo que unánimemente apoyamos esas propuestas. El señor Jennings, Presidente del Comité de Redacción es bien conocido, ha participado como delegado de los Estados Unidos en las últimas reuniones del Consejo, tiene experiencia y conocimientos que facilitarán su importante tarea.
En nombre de la Comisión felicito al Presidente y a los miembros del Comité de Redacción y les anticipo nuestro agradecimiento por su valiosa cooperación.
Si como está previsto esta Comisión concluye sus deliberaciones sobre el Tema 12, mañana al final de la reunión de la tarde, lo cual sería muy deseable, el Comité de Redacción se reuniría el viernes en la noche.
El Comité de Redacción en su primera reunión se ocuparía justamente de este Tema 12, todo ello dentro del plan deseable de realizar en el sentido de que el martes de la próxima semana, día 19, en la mañana esta Comisión pueda considerar la adopción de la parte del Informe referente al Tema 12, a fin de que la Plenaria de la Conferencia pueda aprobar esa parte de nuestro informe sobre el Tema 12 y realizar la votación sobre el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto.
Este es un plan que corresponde a la afortunada experiencia de la Conferencia pasada y estoy seguro que todos ustedes van a colaborar para que podamos realizarlo.
O. RAINHO DA SILVA NEVES (Brazil) : Mr Chairman, the Brazilian Delegation wishes to congratulate you and the Vice-Chairmen on your election. We are particularly happy to see you, the experienced and active representative of a country with very close links with Brazil, chairing this Commission. We also wish to thank Dr Shah for his comprehensive introduction to this item of the agenda.
The nature and extent of the Programme of Work and Budget is the best indication of the dimension of multilateral cooperation in the field of agriculture under the aegis of the FAO. If that is so, there is not much room for optimism. In fact, past discussions on this item, in the Council and elsewhere, have provided on the part of some developed countries clear indications of a negative attitude towards the modest proposals before us. Another sign of the ever-increasing deterioration of the will to participate in multilateral undertakings is the trend to favour bilateral funds or special "windows".
Brazil greatly appreciates the proposals of the Director-General for a modest increase in technical programmes and a reduction in administrative and support costs. FAO's budget proposal deserves our full support. We have already committed ourselves at the Eighty-seventh Session of the Council but, at this juncture, we would like to confirm it and in so doing answer the appeal made by the Director-General in his statement to the Conference.
The decision of my Government has to be considered in the light of the very heavy contribution assessed on Brazil in accordance with the esoteric UN scale of contributions. In 1985 Brazil is to contribute US$3.3 million to the budget, a large amount if one takes into consideration our stage of development, the Brazilian debt commitments, and the unfavourable international trade environment. A casual glance at the scale of contributions shows that many developed countries contribute far less to the budget of the Organization, and that is why we intend to make a specific reservation on this matter at the appropriate time in Commission III.
My delegation fully supports the emphasis given in the Agriculture Programme to the needs of small farmers, the production of staple cereals and so-called secondary crops, the use and management of soil and water and the control of animal diseases. In the "crops" sub-programme we appreciate the activities related to the Code of Conduct on the Distribution and Use of Pesticides.
As far as the Fisheries and Forestry Programmes are concerned, we wish to confirm our support of the recommendations of the World Conference on Fis'heries Management and Development and the 9th World Forestry Congress. We specially support, in the Fisheries Programme, the activities of the Marine Resources and Environment Sub-programme, which aims at the improvement of knowledge on world marine fish stocks.
As we stated at the last session of the Council, Brazil has been a strong supporter of the Technical Cooperation Programme and is convinced of its relevance to developing countries. The Brazilian Delegation excludes, therefore, any thought of zero growth in the already modest levels of funds assigned to the programme. We wish as well to reiterate our support for the establishment of a new category (c) for projects intended to act as a catalyst for inter-country cooperation. And we hope that the percentage of resources allocated to TCDC projects will increase further, taking into account the recruitment of experts and consultants and the procurement of equipment and supplies of developing countries.
Still in regard to the TCP, we want to point out that we pay particular tribute to its universal character, which has permitted FAO to give assistance to all developing countries. In order to face the large number of demands and the real needs of the developing countries, we support an increase in the TCP's share of the Regular Programme in the budget proposals to be presented. Besides, my delegation believes that the present distribution by nature of technical assistance projects is reasonable, and as well the regional allocation for projects approved which seems to have reached a point of equilibrium that reflects quite faithfully the needs of the whole developing world. We believe, on the other hand, that extra resources should be channelled to the most stricken food-crisis areas, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, by additional contributions and initiatives through FAO.
My delegation could not avoid expressing its concern at a number of references made to the TCP at the last Council Session by a few delegations from developed countries that questioned the Programme in some of its basic and most positive features. The unprogrammed nature of the TCP, for instance, has been mentioned as a limiting characteristic of the scope of the Programme. My delegation believes, however, that the flexibility of the TCP is one of its main advantages, since it enables FAO to intervene rapidly when and wherever possible, giving the necessary relief in case of emergency and giving support to the development-oriented projects.
Others have favoured a position according to which technical aid should be only financed through bilateral contributions. My delegation believes in this respect that the engagement of FAO in technical assistance is a fundamental objective of this Organization, which is, in the first instance, established not only to fight hunger and malnutrition, but also to attack these great challenges at their roots by promoting integrated rural development.
The question of using assessed contributions in development assistance programmes has particularly troubled some developed countries, with significant shares of the Organization's regular contributions. In this connection, the Brazilian Delegation feels comfortable to support once
again the TCP in its present features, bringing our contribution which is extremely high, as we have indicated earlier on, paradoxically higher, I must say, than that of many developed countries. My delegation believes that the restriction of technical aid to programmes of a bilateral nature is not acceptable, since it would represent a serious limitation to the universal character that programmes like the TCP absolutely must have.
The Brazilian Delegation is also concerned with the expression put forward in the last Session of the FAO Council favouring the confining of TCP to emergency operations only. We believe, however, that the present rate of 25 percent of projects approved for emergency and 75 percent for technical assistance is reasonable and should be maintained. Emergency operations can be covered from other sources like the World Food Programme and the breaking of the present rates would represent a distortion of the Programme's basic nature.
My delegation cannot understand critics on a possible lack of information on the TCP. As is well known, the Director-General decided to request an external and independent evaluation of the Programme and drew the conclusions and recommendations of the consultants to the Council's attention. The need to provide adequate follow-up of TCP projects has been a permanent concern of the Director-General and we believe FAO is taking the necessary measures to meet all concern in this regard expressed by the consultants' report.
Finally, we would like to reiterate our support to the FAO Council's decision to authorize the increase of the maximum ceiling of TCP projects from US$250 000 to US$400 000. We believe this measure will re-establish the real maximum ceiling for projects eroded over the years by inflation. The TCP should, however, avoid significant and undesirable decreases in the number of projects, trying to maintain as much as possible the present average number of projects by year in order to respond adequately to the increasing number of requests.
As regards Annex I of the Document C 85/3,"Programmes by Region", my delegation fully agrees with the analysis presented for the Latin America and the Caribbean Region and supports the indicated priorities and the medium-term objectives. We wish at this point to pay special tribute to the activities developed by the technical cooperation networks established in the Region and by the FAO Regional Offices and Representatives who are of great relevance for the implementation of regional and national activities. We also reiterate our concern with the relatively lesser attention that seems to be given by the international community to the Latin America and the Caribbean Region and hope that no attempt will be made to reduce the amount of resources estimated to be channelled to the Region during the next biennium. As an example of the smallness of the Region's share in the total Budget, I would mention that the amount to be allocated for Latin America in the TCP Programme represents less than half of the resources due by the Latin American and Caribbean countries as contributions to the 1984-85 Budget.
Finally, Mr Chairman, we express our hope that member countries will take into due consideration the relevance of the task and responsibilities of this Organization and that a common understanding will be reached in regard to this balanced Budget. In our view, more time should be taken in this Commission for the analysis of the structure and priorities of the Budget itself and less time for the mere discussion on the level of the Budget.
Mr Chairman, after this somewhat lengthy intervention we reserve the right to come back later on on some specific items on specific aspects on this subject.
V. ISARANKURA (Thailand) : Mr Chairman, first of all I would like to extend our warm congratulations to you on your election, and congratulate the Vice-Chairmen on their election to high posts of this Commission. I would also like to thank Mr Shah for his lucid introduction to this subject.
My delegation has attached great importance to Document C 85/3 and also to Document C 85/LIM/9. In this context I would like to reaffirm that my delegation finds it difficult to accept the zerogrowth Budget. We believe that the proposed Budget should be based on the demand and the need of all Member Governments of this Organization, both developed and developing countries. In the
present situation there are in our view great and growing needs of the developing countries which require more assistance from FAO than in the past. Thus, we are not happy to see that the proposed Budget has á net programme increase of only 1.1 percent. It should be higher than that.
Mr Chairman, like the Brazilian Delegation we also believe that the budget allocated to the Technical Cooperation Programme should be higher than 13.7 percent. We are happy to note that the Director-General's final proposal indicated a decrease in the overall net programme from US$6.2 million to US$5 million, thereby a reduction of US$1.2 million. Therefore, we thank the Director-General for his efforts. However, my delegation would like to propose that we add the amount of US$91.2 million as mentioned above to the Technical Cooperation Programme. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to this requirement so far. If this were so, then the proposed budget for TCP should be US$52.6 million.
As a representative of a recipient nation, the Thai Delegation has always considered that the TCP is an important instrument that enables the FAO to respond promptly to urgent requests for assistance from the developing world. The TCP also helps to fill gaps in technical assistance not filled by other donors, as well as in investment programmes. This is very important to the developing states. Therefore, we would like to appeal to the Members of this Conference to seriously consider my delegation's proposal to increase the level of TCP.
Finally, Mr Chairman, my delegation would be prepared to support the majority of the Member States represented at this Conference in approving the Programme of Work and Budget 1986-87.
J.C. JARA D. (Chile): Gracias, Señor Presidente. Reciba las felicitaciones y el agrado de mi Delegación por presidir usted esta importante Comisión, así como también felicitamos a los Vicepresidentes elegidos y al Sr. Shah por su excelente presentación de la materia que nos interesa. La Delegación chilena desea destacar la orientación dada al Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para 1986-87, en el sentido de reducir los gastos de gestión y apoyo liberando con esto recursos para destinarlos a programas técnicos y económicos. En esta forma, el Programa de Cooperación Técnica se verá reforzado con una mayor asignación presupuestaria.
Respecto al PCT es opinión de esta ďelegación que ha sido una fuente muy importante de asistencia. Mi país coincide con los esfuerzos a realizar durante el próximo bienio para disponer de una mayor cantidad de insumos especialmente en Africa, capacitar a la mujer sobre su papel en la agricultura, luchar contra las enfermedades del ganado, sentar directrices para la conservación del medio ambiente y la conservación y rehabilitación de las bases de recursos forestales y apoyar la investigación mediante estudios, cursos y becas de perfeccionamiento.
De igual forma en el ámbito de nuestra región dentro del Programa de Recursos Naturales, son importantes las acciones que se están realizando en cuanto a la capacitación de equipos nacionales de investigación y a la mejora de la productividad de pequeños agricultores, así como la atención que se prestará a la utilización más eficaz de la maquinaria agrícola.
En el Programa de Cultivos, es destacable también la labor que se desarrollaría en la región sobre redes de cooperación técnica en leguminosas, cereales y prevención de pérdidas de alimentos. En el Programa de Ganadería, interesa sobremanera el apoyo que se pueda brindar a los programas nacionales de lucha contra las enfermedades de los animales y de protección contra la propagación de enfermedades exóticas.
En cuanto al Programa de Fomento de la Investigación y la Tecnología, es importante el apoyo que se brindaría a las redes regionales de cooperación técnica sobre biogas y energías no convencionales como también las actividades de capacitación y apoyo a actividades nacionales de investigación.
Dentro del Programa de Desarrollo Rural, se manifiesta el interés para que la Oficina Regional preste colaboración a los países en todas aquellas actividades relacionadas con el desarrollo rural como también resulta interesante el fortalecimiento que pueda brindarse a la red de comercialización y a la organización de cursos de capacitación sobre sistemas mejorados de comercialización.
Respecto al Programa de Política Alimentaria Agrícola es importante la intención de la Oficina Regional para fomentar durante el próximo bienio el comercio interregional, así como la realización de estudios y prestación de asistencia técnica sobre las medidas para el fomento a las exportaciones, las empresas conjuntas y la integración subregional.
En lo concerniente al Programa de Montes, apoyamos las actividades programadas conducentes a conservar los recursos genéticos, conservar y rehabilitar las bases de recursos forestales y realizar estudios de perspectivas para mejorar las bases de datos forestales. También deseo destacar las actividades tendentes a entregar apoyo a programas forestales nacionales a través de las redes de ordenación de cuencas hidrográficas y asesoramiento sobre planificación forestal. Es importante asimismo el fortalecimiento que se desea emprender en una red regional de ordenación de la flora y fauna silvestre y los parques nacionales.
En resumen, Chile apoya al Programa de Labores y Presupuesto que presenta el Director General y hace votos por su aprobación en el Plenario.
G.H. MUSGROVE (Canada): Mr. Chairman, we should like to join the others who have expressed their pleasure at seeing you in the Chair. As l am somewhat used to hearing your voice somewhere on my right, I am not sure which way to duck now that you are in front of me.
We welcome the introduction of this item by Mr. Shah on behalf of the Director-General but we have had the opportunity of hearing the presentation a number of times since we are members of the Finance Committee and of the Council. Nevertheless, we are impressed each time by the clarity and sharpness with which Mr. Shah handles this subject, and we would like to commend him for it.
We would also like to commend the Organization for this Programme of Work and Budget in terms of its substance which outlined priorities and strategies, in terms of its presentation, which while far from perfect is a continued improvement over that of previous biennia, and in terms of its management concepts which have been largely prudent. Nevertheless, as will be of no surprise to delegates, we have continued concern at the overall budget level.
Canada joins with others in supporting the programme proposals put forward by the Director-General. As we have mentioned on previous occasions, we do not, of course, agree equally with all of the programmes put forward. Indeed, we would have hoped in some cases that certain programmes would have been given more emphasis, while there are others which we do not particularly favour. As an example, we do not particularly favour those activities related to the undertaking on plant genetic resources and its poorly conceived bodies, the Commission and the working group. On the other hand, we would have hoped for more strengthening in the proposals on emphasis on forestry and fisheries and on a general address to alleviate degradation, particularly as it is linked to agriculture, forestry and fisheries production.
Nevertheless, we support the programme as a package and would particularly like to support the themes of directing programmes at small farmers and at small-scale projects as well as at women in agriculture. More immediately, we would like to support the emphasis given to addressing the problems in Africa and to strengthening the global information and early-warning systems. We think these are excellent programmes, excellent themes, giving excellent emphasis, and are worthy of our strongest support.
In terms of presentation, the Programme of Work and Budget, as we have had occasion to mention in the Eighty-seventh Council, is very much an improvement over some of those of previous biennia. Nevertheless, we continue to express our hopes for continued improvement and transparency. In the first instance, our expectation of much more rigorous evaluation procedures requires that the Programme of Work and Budget has somewhat greater detail on programme objectives in concrete terms. In terms of transparency, we would welcome more precision in the programme descriptions and as to how those descriptions relate to the regular budget as opposed to extra-budgetary resources. We would also have preferred some greater insight into financial procedures, particularly as they may relate to non-dollar expenditures.
Similarly, in terms of management concepts our delegation commends the Director-General for his efforts in meeting the high priority development needs in agriculture while at the same time attempting to exercise financial restraint through readjustment and realignment in other programmes and sectors, so as to ensure maximum benefit from the scarce financial resources available to the Organization.
With respect to the budget level, we should like to say that we are sensitive to and acknowledge those speakers from this morning who have called for particular attention to and reconsideration
of the budget level. We have heard those who suggest sorte sensitivity, and that particularly on the fortieth anniversary we strive to have some consensual approach. However, we consider that the rate of the real budget growth is still high. We believe that through the elimination or scaling down of some further marginal or obsolete programmes it should be possible to implement or expand new programmes in vital areas. We believe the Secretariat is best placed to review its own proposals to ensure that the scarce financial resources available to the Organization are used to derive the maximum benefit, but we continue to question the need for the addition of sixteen permanent positions to the staff, given the high vacancy rate and the large number of vacant posts in the Organization. As a very small example, as a member of the North American group we would suggest that even those two positions that are suggested for the North American Liaison Office be given further consideration. We say that in the knowledge that there is no present office or other representation of the Food and Agriculture Organization in our country, one of the largest countries in the world and, I think, one of the few that have no such representation. Such representation as we do have is from the North American Office, but nevertheless in the interests of budgetary restraint we would put those two positions up as ones that could be looked at again.
We trust that Canada's position on the need for budgetary restraint in FAO will not be understood to be a weakening in Canada's traditional support for multilateralism or a disregard of the needs of developing countries. Indeed, in the light of some of the interventions today we are somewhat disturbed that there may be misunderstandings in this particular direction. My country remains committed to future growth in overseas development assistance levels and, indeed, growth relative to our gross national product. Through the remainder of this decade that growth is all but assured. A large part of that growth will be delivered through multilateral channels and I think that Canada's performance through the World Food Programme is an example that has been all too evident in the last year or two. Nevertheless, the Canadian public is convinced that more can be achieved within current resources.
In our view, FAO needs to be stronger, not merely larger. Resources are likely to be limited in the foreseeable future and should be concentrated on those existing and planned activities which most need them. In the. view of my Government the Food and Agriculture Organization has adequate resources to perform the work that is expected of it. We do not look on our contribution to the regular budgets of United Nations agencies as direct development assistance or, indeed, a resource transfer to the Third World. Therefore, it is not an expression of Canadian compassion or our determination to solve food security alone. We consider the Food and Agriculture Organization to be foremost a technical agency, with some role as an executing agency. We do not feel that FAO is a funding agency.
Mr Chairman, we would have liked to have spoken at some greater length on a number of specificareas, not least - as perhaps anticipated by the distinguished delegate of Brazil - on the Technical Cooperation Programme, and perhaps if time permits we could return to this item later in our deliberations. Suffice it to say that we believe the TCP is now a mature programme for its stated intentions and we believe that its funding levels should level off and that further growth be directed to trust fund sources. In this connection, in addition to the staff proposals within the Programme of Work and Budget, we would direct attention to the possibility of certain funding savings with respect to the Technical Cooperation Programme.
We will not speak further at this time. We would like to hear further, even at this late date, that some further budgetary reductions can be found that would lead us to a full consensus on the Programme of Work and Budget in the Conference itself.
R. RABE (Madagascar): La delegation de Madagascar se félicite, Monsieur le President, de vous voir présider les travaux de cette très importante commission. Vos qualités, votre compétence et votre grande valeur humaine sont les garants du succès de nos travaux. Nous félicitons également les vice-présidents. Notre délégation voudrait aussi rendre hommage au Directeur général et à toute l'équipe du secrétariat pour la grande qualité des documents soumis à notre examen et la merveilleuse présentation faite par M. Shah.
Dans son examen du Programme de travail et budget de l'Organisation pour le biennium 1986-87, la délégation de Madagascar a pris en considération les éléments ci-après: la situation mondiale de l'alimentation et de l'agriculture, l'aide alimentaire en Afrique, le bilan des activités de la FAO. En cette année de célébration de son quarantième anniversaire, le rôle que la FAO doit jouer dans l'avenir implique des moyens à lui attribuer pour lui permettre de faire face aux tâches qui lui sont dévolues.
La situation mondiale de l'agriculture et de l'alimentation est caractérisée par une production record pour 1985 puisqu'il est annoncé presque 1 900 millions de tonnes de céréales, soit 39 millions de plus qu'en 1984. Au regard de ces chiffres impressionnants, on serait tenté de croire que la faim a disparu dans le monde. Malheureusement, ce n'est pas le cas. Le Nord croule sous l'abondance de denrées alimentaires et cherche les voies et moyens pour se débarrasser au plus vite des excédents et pour réduire sa production, tandis que le Sud voit sa population lutter pour la survie sous l'empire de la faim et de la malnutrition et essaye en vain de vaincre le désespoir et la mort.
Nous sommes loin de l'équilibre entre les régions si cher à la FAO et figurant en bonne place de ses textes constitutifs. L'écart entre le Nord et le Sud se creuse, s'aggrave de jour en jour et devient incommensurable.
Devant ce sombre tableau, peut-on encore tergiverser sur les moyens à mettre en oeuvre pour venir en aide à ces êtres humains, victimes le plus souvent d'un passé dans lequel la force et le désir de profit maximum ont dominé la raison ? Pour redresser leur situation, pour leur redonner la chance de retrouver le minimum leur permettant d'aller sûrement de l'avant, un plan Marshall s'impose effectivement, comme l'a affirmé le Directeur général dans plusieurs de ses déclarations.
La région africaine est la plus affectée, car dans beaucoup de pays de cette région, les cataclysmes naturels ont anéanti peu à peu leurs efforts louables de redressement économique. Il est vrai que l'aide à court terme fournie par la communauté internationale a permis d'éviter le pire dans certaines situations, mais un programme sérieux et vigoureux de réhabilitation et de relance à long terme et à moyen terme s'impose.
La FAO a engagé les actions d'une façon très positive, et nous tenons à l'en féliciter, mais il lui faut nettement plus de soutien et de moyens pour venir à bout de la situation.
D'ores et déjà, nous pouvons entrevoir qu'il reste énormément à faire, qu'il faut agir vite. Fort heureusement, le Directeur général dans ses propositions de programme et de budget a tenu compte de tous ces éléments. Il est naturellement exclu que le budget ordinaire prenne en charge toutes les dépenses afférentes à ces actions de redressement, compte .tenu de leur montant trop important d'une part, et en raison du fait que des investigations prioritaires doivent également être entreprises dans les autres régions et à l'échelon mondial.
Par ailleurs, dans le souci fort louable du Directeur général de tenir compte de la position manifestée par certains membres d'exiger la croissance zéro du budget, et dans son effort permanent de réduire les dépenses de fonctionnement de l'Organisation au profit de programmes techniques, le budget a été fixé à un niveau qui, en vérité, est loin du minimum requis en cette période de crise, dans cette période où on enregistre des réductions des recettes d'exportation, et où les lourdes charges de la dette absorbent jusqu'à 60 pour cent des recettes d'exportation, et aussi au moment où les financements à des conditions de faveur font gravement défaut.
Nous ne citerons pour exemple que le FIDA qui connaît une diminution de 70 pour cent de ses ressources en 1985 par rapport aux chiffres moyens de la période 1980-1984 et les difficultés de l'IDA.
Compte tenu des situations pour le moins dramatiques des pays en voie de développement de l'Afrique, peut-on raisonnablement prôner la croissance zéro du budget qui est largement .dépassée par les événements? Ne devrait-on pas plutôt chercher ensemble les mesures adéquates pour éviter la catastrophe? Ne devrait-on pas renforcer les moyens de l'Organisation pour lui permettre d'accélérer son programme de soutien à l'agriculture?
Pour notre part, nous pouvons relever que jusqu'à présent une activité, à notre sens primordiale pour le petit exploitant, n'a pas pu être sérieusement prise en considération. Il s'agit de la résolution du problème crucial d'enclavement des zones de production en milieu rural. Une étude de la FAO à cet effet, portant sur 68 pays en voie de développement, a démontré que les deux tiers environ de leur population, soit 1 400 millions de personnes sur 2 milliards, vivent en milieu rural. Nous sommes convaincus que l'inexistence ou le mauvais état des pistes rurales constitue
à coup sûr un frein à la production, car sans ces infrastructures de communications, ni l'encadrement ni la vulgarisation ne peuvent être assurés. Par ailleurs, l'achat de la production dans ces zones n'est pas envisageable sans voies de communications praticables, ce qui décourage le paysan producteur.
Nous souhaiterions vivement que cette question soit sérieusement examinée par les secrétariats, d'autant plus que l'amélioration des conditions de vie et d'existence des milieux ruraux a toujours constitué la priorité des actions de l'Organisation.
Dans le cadre de l'amélioration de la capacité des pays en voie de développement en général, et de l'Afrique en párticulier, à promouvoir efficacement leur développement, certaines actions de l'Organisation mériteraient d'être renforcées. Pour ce faire, il faudrait intensifier la formation, la recherche et la coopération technique entre pays en voie de développement.
Enfin, pour contribuer efficacement à la sécurité alimentaire des populations, les pays en voie de développement devraient être dotés d'un système national d'information et d'alerte rapide.
A l'instar de nombreuses délégations, telles que le Brésil, la Thaïlande, Chypre et d'autres qui nous ont précédées, la délégation de Madagascar, dans son examen du projet de Programme et Budget 1986-87 de la FAO a porté une attention toute particulière au programme de coopération technique, ce programme sans lequel l'assistance technique de l'Organisation demeurerait dans la plupart des cas un voeu pieux. Nous nous félicitons des efforts fournis par le Directeur général pour renforcer de plus en plus ce programme et conserver sa nature et sa spécificité stipulées par les textes en vigueur. Nous lui rendons hommage d'avoir, en 1976, eu l'heureuse initiative de proposer aux organes directeurs de l'Organisation la création de ce programme. Dans tous les pays, et notamment dans le nôtre, les exemples concrets sont multiples pour démontrer que le programme de coopération technique est vraiment indispensable et bien adapté aux différentes situations d'urgence qui prévalent dans les activités agricoles des pays en voie de développement. Nous souhaitons vivement que le plafond de chaque projet du programme de coopération technique soit porté à 400 000 dollars et que la nouvelle catégorie consacrée à la coopération économique et à la coopération technique entre pays en voie de développement soit retenue.
Nous nous réservons le droit d'intervenir à nouveau sur la question du programme de coopération technique au cours de nos travaux.
La délégation de Madagascar voudrai-t par ailleurs apprécier les initiatives très heureuses prises par le Directeur général concernant la mise en place et le renforcement du système international d'information, d'alerte rapide et d'intensification de la formation, la revitalisation des structures de production dans les pays en voie de développement, ainsi que le renforcement des Bureaux régionaux de l'Organisation.
Compte tenu de tous ces éléments et confiants en la volonté de tous les Etats de marquer le quarantième anniversaire de l'Organisation par une manifestation réelle de la compréhension et de la solidarité internationale, nous osons croire à l'approbation par consensus du Programme de travail et Budget 1986-87, en tout cas notre délégation lui assure son appui sans réserve.
H. OSHIMA (Japón); Antes que nada quisiera expresar mi atención a usted y a los dos Vicepresidentes por sus nombramientos.
La Delegación japonesa también desea felicitar al señor Shah por su excelente introducción. Después de este saludo, voy a continuar en inglés. (Continúa en inglés).
Please allow me first to make some general comments.
The Programme of Work and Budget now before us has shown some improvement as compared with the Summary Programme of Work and Budget presented to the Eighty-seventh Session of the Council. A net programme decrease of 1.2 million dollars from the Summary Budget is one of the main features. My delegation has duly taken note of the fact that, since the Director-General took office ten years ago, it was the first time for him to revise his original budget proposal, taking into consideration the views and suggestions expressed by many delegates regarding the principle of zero programme growth. Apart from the magnitude of the reduced amount itself, my delegation highly appreciates the positive attitude of the Director-General for having improved the budget.
Despite the above-mentioned positive aspects, however, my delegation cannot but express our concern about some elements of the proposed Programme of Work and Budget.
The first one is Technical Cooperation Programme (TCP). Although my delegation recognizes the desire of FAO to have some flexible means to meet unforseen requirements and unexpected needs of the developing countries, we are of the opinion that the financial resources for these purposes should be provided in principle by the extra-budgetary sources. Since TCP is an unprogrammed budget and since the authority of approval of TCP projects was delegated to the Director-General, member governments have practically no means of participating in the process of approving the projects, while other activities in the FAO Regular Budget follow the principle of programmed budget and are subject to consideration by the member governments.
Because of this characteristic of TCP, my delegation has not been in favour of an increase in the resource allocation to TCP and we have stressed previously that it should be preferably limited to meeting emergency situations only. This does not mean, of course, that FAO should decrease its field programme. On the contrary, we recognize that FAO, with its unrivalled expertise, is the leading agency in the field of food and agriculture. Therefore, Japan has been increasing its contribution to the FAO's Trust Fund Projects in supporting its field activities.
Another reason why my delegation has questioned the increase of TCP is the following. We believe that coordinated activities among the various United Nations agencieş on the field level can be mainly achieved through effective allocation of UNDP funds. Therefore, in principle we are not in favour of the fact that each specialized agency has its own resources for field projects under the regular budget. Quite contrary to the wish which my delegation has repeatedly expressed, TCP has not been touched upon at all during the course of the revising of the original budget. The real programme growth of TCP for the next biennium has in fact amounted to 4.2 percent and ranks the highest among the seven chapters. Here my delegation expresses its disappointment and disagreement.
The second point which we are very much concerned about in the Programme of Work and Budget is the level of the net programme growth of 1.14%. While appreciating the Director-General's effort made so far in reducing the costs of low priority areas, my delegation is of the opinion that more of a reduction could have been made without jeopardizing the core activities of FAO.
We recognize the tremendous needs which FAO is currently having to deal with. However, we also believe that better targetting of the existing programmes and activities could lead FAO to meet these needs within the framework of zero programme growth.
The third point is the very recent development of the dollar/lira exchange rate which has a significant effect on the level of the assessed contributions of each member government. We know that in the past the Conference adopted as the exchange rate applied to each biennium, the rate which was prevailing at the time of adoption. This methodology, however, seems rather impractical, since we noticed that the dollar/lira exchange rate has had a tendency to move in favour of the dollar and consequently a considerable amount has remained within several chapters of the Budget. In our view, such ample provisions may be apt to give an undesirable effect on the stringent management of the Organization. My delegation, therefore, would like to suggest adopting for the next biennium a more realistic exchange rate that takes into account for example a medium-term trend of the exchange rate. In this connection, if the Secretariat has already examined some alternatives concerning this point, my delegation would very much like to hear the comments. from the Secretariat.
EL PRESIDENTE: Gracias, mis felicitaciones por su buen castellano, distinguido delegado del Japón.
H. MORA (Ecuador): Quiero expresarle mi calurosa felicitación por la merecida elección de que usted ha sido objeto. Colombia es un país al que nos unen antiguos y fraternales lazos de amistad, de manera que es doble el motivo de congratulación por la dignidad que ha recaído en usted.
Por otra parte, merece nuestro especial reconocimiento la exposición realizada por el señor Shah.
Es necesario destacar el esfuerzo realizado por el Director General al presentar el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto.
Hemos visto con beneplácito que una parte importante de los recursos de la FAO para el próximo bienio está destinada a los países más necesitados.
El incremento del 3,8 por ciento para los Programas de Cooperación Técnica, a costa de gastos administrativos principalmente, nos parece una medida muy saludable y merece nuestro total apoyo.
No queremos dejar de señalar nuestra inconformidad con la opción de crecimiento cero. La magnitud de la crisis económica, agravada por las circunstancias ecológicas desastrosas que todos conocemos, no lo permiten.
Creo que éste es el momento en que más recursos se necesitan poner a trabajar para contribuir a terminar con el hambre en el mundo. Es ésta la forma más efectiva de demostrar la solidaridad de que con tanta frecuencia se habla en estos días.
Para finalizar, señor Presidente, creemos que el incremento presupuestario del 1,1 por ciento, al que la Secretaría General ha logrado llegar, es verdaderamente modesto y que puede ser financiado - con un poco de buena voluntad de los Países Miembros.
ALI ZWAIK (Libya) (original language Arabic): We are very happy with the way you are guiding
the work of our Committee. This is proof of your experience and wisdom. What we would like to do at this juncture is to give our total support to the contents of the document that is before us. We wish to congratulatė the Director-General and his staff and all those who helped in the drawing up of this document. We are discussing the future of the world food situation and attention is always drawn to those regions of the world which need. our support and our help. So to fulfill those expectations is a humanitarian deed which is imposed upon us by our ethics, and we have to supply what we can give in order to alleviate the suffering of so. many lives. Hunger and malnutrition are matters which mankind has always had to face. Those who do not have this problem now, and we do not wish them to undergo these difficulties, migfit have to face it in the future. So .the rich of today may well be the poor of tomorrow. We are strongly in favour of finding solutions to the problems we are faced with. In other words we have to look very far ahead and create the foundations for a scientific solution and find radical solutions to these scourges of hunger and malnutrition. Drought has become something we are getting very used to in this world. Drought is spreading all over the planet and many regions have been struck by it. Many countries have had to face up to water shortages which have been disastrous to agricultural production. So, to seek new forms of irrigation, to find solutions to this problem and step-up food production in zones which are drought-prone or potentially so, is essential for the future.
This has become a prime task, and as individual we have to step-up the present food production even in situations which are less favourable, where the weather conditions are negative. So we have to develop not only traditional crops, but also crops of the future. So in my country, and despite our lack of water and the bad .weather conditions, we have used everything that was available. We have cultivated the desert. The desert was what it was - impossible to cul ivate, but we have managed it and managed to step-up our production tenfold. The problem which we faced has made us seek alternative solutions and it is time to try to find new water resources, and new crops which give a solution to the problem of food production in the future. We offer the experience that we have gleaned in developing useless lands, and we hope that this will help FAO in developing future efforts.
Finally, we would like to pay tribute to all those who have helped to bring about solutions to hunger and malnutrition.
R.W.M. JOHNSON (New Zealand): I wish to state our general position on the; Programme of Work and Budget and also to refer to one particular item over which we have some concern. I hope that this approach is acceptable to the Chairman in making both points in one intervention.
Over a number of budgets we have taken a conservative stance on the question of budget growth. Our view is that the international agencies should seek to control their total expenditures with regard
to: a clear ordering of priorities, the avoidance of waste, the elimination of low-priority programmes, and the maintenance of stable starting levels. In other words, we support a growth in the efficiency of the programmes of the Organization rather than growth in the total resources committed. In this way an expanded set of objectives can be achieved from the same level of resources. This would meet the aims expressed by many countries at this meeting today. In this connection we welcome the efforts of the Director-General to meet the requests made at the 87th Council for a slower rate of growth in the budget than was originally proposed. We see this as a major guideline for budgetary control in the future. As far as Programme changes are concerned, we support the diversion of resources to technical and economic programmes, and some support programmes. It appears to be wise planning to expand the input into technical and economic programmes. In the agricultural programme we support the emphasis on agriculture, on rainfed systems and the emphasis on early warning systems. We support the increases for research and technological development, the crops programme and the livestock programme. We clearly want to see these resources. diverted to the areas where. the return is greatest, even though the precise areas of need are not clearly visible through the documentation.
We support the minimal increases in the fisheries and forestry programme. We note the increases devoted to fisheries information and the fisheries exploitation and utilization. In forestry we identify the very large increases for forest resources and environment and forestry for rural development. We join with others in welcoming the increased support for fishery and forestry programmes.
As far as the TCP is concerned, we look forward to the publication of the external evaluation of the Programme which has been promised for this Conference. The particular item I wish to refer to concerns sub-programme 2.1.3.2: Animal Health, the page reference in the document is 85 and the paragraph reference is 19. This concerns the activities of the combined FAO/WHO/OIE Animal Health Yearbook. For a number of years there have been on going discussions between the Animal Health Division of the FAO and the OIE on the rationalization-of the compilation of disease statistics from Member Countries. Both of the. above organizations seek input from members annually and compile and publish the data separately. The FAO publish the Animal Health Yearbook andOIE publish the Zoo Sanitary Situation in Member Countries. Now our veterinary people in Wellington are of the view there is only a need for one organization to collect the statistics. They have a preference for OIE to carry out this work as it would be part of their system of disease reporting for Member Countries which ranges from immediate reports with serious diseases, for example, foot and mouth disease to annual reports of less important diseases. We see this as a possible source of saving any duplication.
A. Y. BUKHARI (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia) (original language Arabic) : Mr Chairman we want to give you our most sincere and warmest congratulations on your appointment to the Chair of this Commission which will deal with matters which affect international cooperation in the areas of food and agricultural production. We are convinced that you will perform this difficult task with the highest degree of competence. Your past already proves this. The success you have had through the years has brought you the admiration and support of all, and we pray to Allah that he may guide your steps, that he may guide us all towards the successful work of this Commission.
At present we are dealing with an exceedingly important topic, a topic which I think was a sort of dress rehersal of our work here now. I have already mentioned the Programme of Work and Budget for the biennium 1986-87. The importance of this point is due to the prevailing world situation, both economic and social, which unfortunately declined over the past couple of years, a situation then which is continuing to have a negative, deleterious impact on food production and on the food situation in general of developing countries, and in particular of African countries.
The Programme of Work and Budget we have before us here has been prepared by the Director-General and his assistants with the greatest care and wisdom. We wish to reconfirm here that the Director-General succeeded in striking the necessary balance between the needs and the requirements which very often clash. Very often there are the urgent needs of developing countries and requests for food aid, as supplied by FAO by way of its technical programmes and, on the other hand, there is the overall crisis situation which most of the FAO Member Countries have to face up to today. We have the honour of studying the situation during the course of the meeting of the Council and during numerous meetings when we gave our total support to the Programme of Work and Budget that has been put before us at this point.
The approval by this Commission, which represents the general Conference survey of the Programme of Work and Budget, will have a very favourable psychological impact on the needy countries. It would truly be a largescale event which would highlight the fact that international cooperation is the reality, a reality which is based on the support we give to this Programme of Work and Budget for the coming biennium.
No one doubts that the cooperation between countries is a need which is required by all monolithic religions. The Prophet Mohammed said if a member of the human body is sick, then the whole body is sick. So the situation we are facing now, this urgent need for a food stock, compels us to approve unanimously without any hesitation or any reluctance the budget that is before us here. So on the FAO level, a specialized Agency in this area, an institution which is relevant to channel aid to developing countries through its programmes, our approval of this budget, I repeat, will make it possible to free all these possibilities and will bring about increased efficiency and provide the greatest possible usefulness. Our approval therefore will make. it possible for this programme to respond in the shortest possible time to the urgent and ongoing needs which are put before the Organization by these very developing countries and will also enable it at the same time to face up in a more ongoing manner to contingencies and unforeseen or unexpected situations that may arise at any time in the developing countries.
There is no doubt whatsoever that FAO was set up on the very basis of these principles and their implementation. Talking about the many development needs, the necessary inputs to improve the food situation, some of these developing countries have already started taking the necessary measures to help step up their agricultural production but unfortunately they still need international aid -material and technological aid - at the same time.
So these developing contries know full well that FAO is one of the necessary, and possibly if not the most important, ways to achieve a solution for countries to benefit from unconditional technological assistance, unconditional, I repeat, so that an end may be brought to these countries' difficulties. These developing countries know full well that FAO, if it has the necessary support supplied by the developed countries, is the only organization that can assist them face up to their needs and give them the necessary helping hand in efforts to overcome their situation, a situation, moreover, which has worsened.
Let us not forget the crisis which has prevailed in the African continent, the effects of which are still shaking mankind - the whole planet. That was one of the greatest challenges that all of mankind has had to face up. But no o,ne is unaware of the aid supplied by FAO even before the crisis peaked and this was thanks to international cooperation efforts of very great scope. Let us not forget that what struck Africa might well strike any other part of the world whatever its news form migth be.
Mr Chairman, our approval and our endorsement of this Budget and Programme of Work in the ultimate analysis ,is the minimum we can give to the developing countries in. order to make it possible for them to find the ways, means and the technology needed to promote their agricultural production and to produce for themselves what they will require.
Speaking about the developed countries, some of which are against the Programme of Work and Budget. We believe these countries must be fully aware of the fact that if one member, one limb of the human, is sick, then the whole body is sick. The developed countries, Mr Chairman, will then not be safe from such a potential situation. What the developing countries ask of them, that is, to approve this Budget, is in actual fact a humanitarian gesture that would reflect the interests of developed countries in the future of our developing countries, the social and economic future of the developing countries. This, then, would be proof indeed of the fact that mankind must live in a serene manner and at ease. Mankind as a whole must be aware of the fact that the sacrifice that will have to be made in supplying a couple of thousand dollars will then be offset by herculean efforts aimed at the eradication of hunger and malnutrition, above all in developing countries. And that this then, if God wills, and if the peoples of developing countries are also willing, will make it possible to save millions of lives which at present are lost.
From this international forum and on the basis of a deeply felt concern for the role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in solving the problems mankind as a whole is faced with today, my delegation declares its total and absolute support of the Programme of Work and Budget, including the priorities contained therein.
We beseech the Almighty God to guide our steps towards the good of all and towards the establishment of a society in full development.
Ms. M. PIOTROWSKA (Poland): Mr Chairman, first of all let me congratulate you cordially on your election. I hope that by no means will you be sitting on the other side of the room.
Poland fervently supports the Programme of Work and Budget for FAO for the years 1986-87 presented by the Director-General. It is based on a reliable evaluation of the situation of the world's agriculture and on a critical estimation of the achievements of FAO in the ongoing advance of food production and in technical and social changes in agriculture in rural areas. The Programme reflects the direction of the worldwide desire for evolution of functions and forms of FAO activity. It takes into account the new needs of developing countries, particularly the drastically growing need of African and Latin American countries for international assistance. It reflects the search for new forms of cooperation among countries and for non-budgetary sources of support for the development of technical regional projects, and ensures the continuation of analytic work providing the basis for exchange of economic and agricultural opinions among world organizations, as well as the dissemination of information.
The substantial planned works of FAO are sufficiently supported by publications as well as by sessions and panel discussions in consultations. It seems, however, that in the future there should be a bolder selection of initiatives in order to increase the number of analytic sessions and publications dealing with microeconomic, social and political problems for the improvement of international cooperation in the field of agriculture and food trade, while limiting analytical sessions and publications on agricultural technology, especially of narrow technical problems.
We agree with the strategy on fisheries presented in the document. We find this field of FAO activity a vital element of the campaign against hunger and malnutrition.
My delegation also believes that FAO has a great role to play in bringing to the attention of the developing countries the fruits of the new biotechnology being applied in various sectors of agriculture in order for them to contribute to the development of their own food production. Therefore, we are pleased to see in the proposed Programme the attention given to agricultural biotechnology.
Mr Chairman, the Programme of Work gives FAO the possibility of greater influence on the work and decisions of non-agricultural international organizations. However, the international community expects a bolder presentation of agricultural issues on the fora of international organizations from FAO, the decisions and activities of which determine ever more the real progress in solving world and regional agricultural problems.
The suggested Budget is a financial reflection of the desired changes in the direction and form of FAO activity. There are also visible efforts to reduce administrative expenses, as well as the decentralization of the management of technical and regional problems.
Mr Chairman, initially Poland was reluctant to support the excessive growth of the budgets of international organizations. However, the proposed Programme of Work and Budget of the Director-General for the next biennium responds to the needs of the poorest in the world. That is why our delegation will vote for the approval of this Programme of Work and Budget.
Srta. M.E. JIMENEZ (El Salvador): Tener la oportunidad de participar en este debate, bajo su dirección, señor Presidente, es para mí un verdadero placer. Conozco su capacidad, su inteligencia y su habilidad, para mencionar sólo tres de sus cualidades, y por ello mi delegación se siente tranquila y segura de que nuestros debates llegarán a resultados excelentes.
Señor Presidente, hemos seguido con mucho interés los debates que sobre el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto para el próximo bienio se han llevado a cabo en esta sala, tanto en esta oportunidad como en el desarrollo de los dos últimos Consejos. La brillante presentación del mismo, hecha por el señor Shah, ha sido sumamente valiosa para nuestra delegación. La atenta lectura del documento que contiene el Programa de Labores y Presupuesto nos indica la forma en que el Director General ha tomado en cuenta las más urgentes necesidades de los países en desarrollo.
Debemos darle al Director General la capacidad real de atender esas necesidades que nosotros mismos hemos señalado. No creemos que debamos continuar con el concepto de crecimiento cero ni para la FAO ni para los demás Organismos Internacionales. Rechazamos firmemente esa política. El Director General ha hecho esfuerzos inestimables para lograr un nivel de presupuesto que permita llegar a un consenso entre los que propugnan esta política de crecimiento cero y los que estimamos que es indispensable dar a la FAO el apoyo financiero necesario para continuar con las funciones fundamentales que le han sido encomendadas. Felicitamos al Director General por esos esfuerzos.
Los programas principales, a saber: agricultura, pesca y montes, han sido reforzados adecuadamente, lo cual demuestra que el Director General ha mantenido su promesa de apoyar los programas técnicos y económicos, logrando ahorros en otros sectores no porque éstos carezcan de importancia, sino en aras de lograr una racionalización de los escasos recursos.
La estrategia que rige el programa, las seis prioridades que se nos señalan en el documento C 85/3, merecen el total apoyo de nuestra delegación. Todas y cada una de ellas han sido escogidas tomando en consideración, como ya dije anteriormente, las más urgentes necesidades de nuestro país. Estamos seguros de que, dentro de esas prioridades, el Director General no olvidará el importante papel que juega la mujer en las actividades agrícolas en todo el mundo. Principalmente deseamos resaltar la importancia de darle a la mujer una mayor oportunidad de capacitarse, lo cual le permitirá participar en forma efectiva en el proceso de desarrollo de nuestros pueblos.
En el contexto general del Programa de Labores presentado queremos señalar brevemente cuatro cuestiones que consideramos básicas. Primero, damos nuestro total apoyo al Programa de Cooperación Técnica (PCT), así como al porcentaje que dicho Programa tiene en el Presupuesto. Estimamos que los objetivos y plan de acción planteados sobre este programa, así como las modificaciones que para su más efectivo funcionamiento proponen, merecen todo nuestro apoyo.
Señor Presidente, podemos decir, sin temor a equivocarnos, que dicho Programa ha representado para nuestro país un elemento de enlace fundamental para encaminar adecuadamente nuestros esfuerzos al desarrollo. Estamos seguros de que la experiencia que El Salvador ha tenido con el PCT se ha repetido en muchísimos países en vías de desarrollo. El PCT ha permitido a nuestro.gobierno llevar adelante importantes programas en momentos en que los recursos parecen faltar a todos Los niveles. Para muestra de esto último veamos el triste momento que está pasando el FIDA. Es urgente que se concluya con éxito la segunda reposición de sus recursos e instamos a los.países a tal propósito.
Segundo, el fomento de la cooperación económica y técnica entre los países en desarrollo es fundamental, a nuestro juicio, para lográr un mayor nivel de autosuficiencia. Apoyamos las medidas planteadas en el documento para incrementar dicha cooperación. Nuestra región, señor Presidente - América Latina y el Caribe - ha dado ejemplo de los beneficios que se pueden lograr dentro de este equipo de cooperación. El SELA, SIECA y ALIDE, para citar sólo tres, son muestras palpables de ello.
Tercero, mi delegación desea enfatizar en forma especial la manera prioritaria con que el Programa de Labores afronta la crítica situación de nuestros hermanos africanos, a los cuales El Salvador brinda toda su solidaridad. Creemos que los programas y medidas encaminados a aliviar esta situación merecen el más total de los respaldos.
El último aspecto al que quería referirme es el relacionado con el tema de montes. En ese sentido, como lo dijo esta mañana el delegado de la India, también nosotros creemos que los programas de desarrollo forestal deben merecer una especial atención por parte de la FAO. Estamos convencidos, señor Presidente, como lo mencionó en su brillante alocución de ayer el excelentísimo señor Presidente de la República del Perú, Dr. Alán García Pérez, de que el sector forestal cuenta con una inmensa capacidad para ayudar a resolver los problemas políticos y sociales que resultan del desempleo y el subempieo rural, al ejecutar programas de ordenación forestal para la producción de electricidad rural, de casas rurales y urbanas y demás actividades que tiendan a resolver los problemas sociales que aquejan a nuestros países.
En resumen, señor Presidente, la delegación de El Salvador desea apoyar plenamente tanto el Programa de Labores como el nivel de Presupuestos que somete a nuestra consideración, el cual no podemos ni siquiera llamar mínimo si consideramos la magnitud de las necesidades que afrontan los países en desarrollo.
Para concluir, señor Presidente, permítame citar el párrafo final de la introducción hecha por el Director General en el documento que estamos analizando, y cito: "El hambre y la miseria pueden superarse, como demuestran los progresos realizados en algunos países. El Programa de Labores y Presupuesto es un compromiso para la acción y el medio por el que la Organización apoyará una fe común y firme en un mundo más justo, libre del hambre y de la miseria y finalmente en paz consigo mismo."
Confiamos en que podremos llegar a un consenso y que en la Plenaria este Programa de Labores y Presupuesto será aprobado sin dificultad.
D. KONAN (Côte d'Ivoire). Bien que l'espagnol ne soit pas notre langue officielle, je voudrais tenter de vous adresser à vous, M. Bula Hoyos, mes premiers mots en espagnol.
La delegación de Costa de Marfil aprovecha esta primera ocasión que usted le ofrece para felicitarle personalmente por su brillante elección como Presidente de esta Comisión.
Votre grande expérience des affaires de la FAO, votre dynamisme et aussi votre endurance physique, nous permettront à n'en pas douter de franchir cette 23ème session de façon positive, même si nous nous réunissons pendant le week end.
Nous voudrions également présenter nos félicitations à vos deux vice-présidents pour leur élection.
Permettez à la délégation de Côte d'Ivoire de dire ici d'emblée qu'elle approuve le Programme de travail et budget, texte qui nous est soumis par le Directeur général de la FAO. Le document principal C 85/3 et toutes ses annexes, brillamment présentés ce matin par M. Shah, ont retenus particulièrement notre attention. Nous soutenons le programme de travail pour plusieurs raisons:
En premier lieu il accorde une place spéciale à notre continent l'Afrique, notamment en ce qui concerne les secteurs des pêches, de la recherche et de la technologie, et aussi de la formation, secteurs qui n'avaient pas toujours retenu toute notre attention jusqu'à présent. Nous nous en félicitons tout particulièrement et nous attendons avec intérêt les conclusions de l'étude sur les obstacles au développement agricole en Afrique, étude qui nous sera présentée en septembre 1986 à Brazzaville. Le Secrétariat a largement tenu compte des observatons faites par le Comité des programmes ainsi que des recommandations du Conseil en vue de privilégier d'abord et avant tout les activités de terrain, c'est-à-dire celles qui touchent le paysan lui-même pour lequel nous sommes réunis ici. C'est une preuve de réalisme et en même temps un acte de foi.
En troisième lieu, les documents soumis à notre examen ne peuvent certes pas être parfaits. Tel ou tel de nos pays, y compris le mien, aurait pu être souhaité mettre davantage l'accent sur la coopération technique dans les pays du tiers monde, sur l'aquaculture ou sur la promotion de la femme en milieu rural, etc. Nous pensons quant à nous que la FAO a fait, à partir de toutes ces exigences, une bonne synthèse et un dosage équilibré qui devraient, en définitive, être largement approuvés lors de cette 23ème Conférence.
Poursuivant mon propos, je voudrais maintenant parler du budget. Que pouvons nous reprocher à cette présentation? Peut-être de n'être pas aller assez loin, car l'Afrique, continent le plus souvent touché par la misère, a davantage besoin d'être appuyée à travers les projets de la FAO en faveur de beaucoup de nos pays, au Sahel et en Afrique australe notamment.
Mais le Directeur général, après un dur débat aux différentes sessions du Conseil, a accepté de tenir compte des suggestions de quelques grands pays donateurs en révisant à la baisse ses propositions initiales.
Mon gouvernement en dépit de la grande amitié qu'il nourrit à l'égard de nos partenaires des pays développés ne peut pas souscrire au soi-disant principe de la croissance zéro qui signifie - ce n'est un secret pour personne - une régression. Croissance zéro de la guerre, oui; croissance zéro de l'alimentation, non. Passer à 1,14 pour cent d'augmentation du budget pour 1986-87 est un minimum incompressible pour notre délégation qui tient, entre autre, à soutenir fermement le niveau proposé du PCT que tous les Africains apprécient pour sa souplesse et son efficacité. Il faut déplorer cette tendance acharnée à réduire à tout prix le budget de la FAO et d'autres institutions comme le FIDA et l'AID, c'est une tendance qui va contre l'aide au développement et
la lutte contre la pauvreté que nous nous sommes fixées au sein de cette Organisation. Nous souhaitons que nos partenaires comprennent cela et reconnaissent à la FAO sa place particulière dans le système des Nations Unies car il s'agit ici à chaque minute de la vie, voire de la survie des êtres humains.
Mesdames, Messieurs, Monsieur le Président, vous êtes vous un jour posé la question de savoir ce qu'il adviendrait de nous tous ici réunis dans cette salle, si tous les représentants que nous sommes et leur famille devaient rester le ventre vide pendant seulement une semaine? Je dis bien une semaine et, vous le savez, certains de nos frères restent un mois sans manger. C'est de cela qu'il s'agit.
Poursuivant notre propos, permettez à ma délégation de ne pas s'appesantir sur les détails de ces documents qui ont du reste fait l'objet de nos observations lors des précédentes réunions du Conseil tenues ici même.
Nous voudrions conclure en réitérant notre soutien et notre appui à tous les efforts du Secrétariat et surtout du personnel de terrain de la FAO, qui malgré un environnement toujours plus difficile, mène la seule et vraie bataille qui vaille la peine, celle de la recherche de 1'autosuffisance alimentaire qui, en définitive, est un facteur de paix dans le monde.
A. RODRIGUES PIRES (Cap-Vert): Je serai très bref, toutefois il me semble juste de vous féliciter, M. le Président, représentant d'un pays avec lequel mon pays entretient les meilleures relations, un ami, un collègue, qui avec sagesse et compétence honora nos débats dans cette très importante Commission.
Permettez-moi également d'adresser mes félicitations les plus chaleureuses aux vice-présidents qui à votre côté vont contribuer à nos travaux, et à mon ami, M. Shah, pour la façon claire et équilibrée dont il a présenté ce document qui va nous permettre de mieux l'apprécier et l'analyser.
Que faut-il dire en ce qui concerne le Programme de travail et budget de l'Organisation présenté par le Directeur général, après ces élîientes interventions?
La délégation de mon pays estime que la croissance zéro ne doit pas êtrė appliquée à une Organisation comme la FAO qui a démontré au cours de ses quarante années d'existence sa capacité, sa compétence et son dynamisme. Cette Organisation a été créée pour lutter contre la faim et la malnutrition, pour former des hommes dans tous les continents, dans tous les pays en développement; elle ne peut devenir une organisation répondant à celui qui la sollicite "débrouille-toi, je n'ai pas d'engrais, je n'ai pas de pesticides, je n'ai pas de semences parce que je n'ai pas d'argent". La FAO a démontré en pratique son utilité.
Parlant du Programme de travail et budget, il doit être clair qu'une organisation internationale qui fait de tels efforts en dépit de toutes les difficultés que nous connaissons ne peut pas être pénalisée. Les efforts déployés par M. Saouma, notre Directeur général, et son équipe pour réduire les frais administratifs en faveur des programmes de terrain ne devraient pas être pénalisés mais doivent être soutenus.
En ce qui concerne le Programme Afrique, ma délégation est ,. ureuse de constater que la FAO a tenu compte des réunions régionales de l'Afrique et du dernier Sommet économique des Chefs d'Etat africains de l'OUA qui a hautement apprécié le Plan d'action de Lagos, et préconisé des solutions pratiques pour le développement agricole dans le continent. Je félicite le Directeur général de la FAO et son équipe qui a tenu compte des préoccupations des Chefs d'Etat africains.
En ce qui concerne le paragraphe 33 et le programme préconisé aux chapitres I, II, III et IV, mettant en évidence le suivi de la Conférence mondiale pour la réforme agraire et le développement rural, je souligne la participation des femmes comme 1'a fait mon ami du Salvador, et l'importance des programmes de pêche, surtout pour les pays insulaires comme le mien, ainsi que la promotion de la coopération technique sud-sud entre pays en voie de développement.
En ce qui concerne le Programme de coopération technique, nous appuyons sans réserve l'intervention de M. l'Ambassadeur du Brésil. Il faut s'adresser aux pays bénéficiaires pour savoir s'ils sont satisfaits de ce Programme.
Ce Programme a catalysé des millions de dollars. Le PCT tel que proposé par le Directeur général doit être soutenu. Le plafond préconisé de 400 000 dollars E.-U. mérite tout notre appui. Je joins ma voix à celle du Brésil et de Madagascar.
En ce qui concerne la décentralisation, les représentants de la FAO ont un rôle important à jouer dans nos pays en ce qui concerne la programmation et la coordination des actions de la FAO. Ma délégation apprécie que le Directeur général de la FAO ait répondu favorablement à la requête de notre gouvernement d'ouvrir une représentation FAO sur place.
Pour terminer, ma délégation appuie le Programme d'information et d'alerte rapide de la FAO et soutient tous les programmes régionaux visant à aider les pays membres qui désirent organiser au niveau national des programmes d'alerte rapide. J'appelle l'assemblée à approuver par consensus les propositions du Programme de travail et Budget présenté
EL PRESIDENTE: Como ustedes ven el castellano sigue extendiéndose en esta Organización.
En las dos sesiones de hoy intervinieron 37 delegaciones sobre este tema, más o menos el 25 por ciento del potencial número de miembros de esta Comisión. Para mañana hay en la lista 3 oradores: República Arabe del Yemen, Honduras y Líbano y, naturalmente, quienes deseen agregarse. Ya Filipinas, Francia y Barbados han manifestado su deseo de intervenir y todos los que ahora están alzando sus nombres serán incluidos en la lista. Se ha tomado nota de todas las delegaciones y mañana se leerá la lista a primera hora. Les ruego que sean puntuales a las 9,30. Trabajarán mañana por la mañana bajo la dirección de uno de nuestros Vicepresidentes, el distinguido Embajador Qadir, de Pakistán.
Gracias y hasta mañana, se levanta la sesión.
The meeting rose at 17.20.
La séance est levée à 17 h 20.
Se levanta la sesión a las 17.20 horas.
